Jebidiahs Change Bk 02 Ch 05

Welcome back gentle reader

Chapter Four was not very erotic. It's hard to sprinkle that in when people are on the move. You'll find it in this chapter, because it is necessary, but things are ramping up and events won't have much room for romance as events of the world sharpen Jebidiah.

Standard disclaimer, multiply ages by roughly two to get equivalent Earth ages. Everyone is a consenting adult.

-- Somewhen, Somewhere --

"I don't see the need for these theatrics."

Bora sighed again, discomfort creeping through her. "I cannot stress how imperative it is the others do not know of this,"

Avellar sat across from Bora. The unnatural lighting gave Avellar's normally perfect complexion a strange pallor--not quite sickly, but just... off. Together, they had created a pocket dimension, one keyed to only themselves. They were not sure if even the Power had the ability to join them.

"Well, you got me here. No need for pleasantries, I suppose. What is the problem?"

Avellar hesitated--unusual for her. Bora spent the silence admiring Avellar. Like Bora, Avellar was an elf--flawless in form, as if shaped by divinity itself. Everything about her exuded

I am beautiful

, and for good reason. Avellar held primary domain over Art, Love, and Beauty, which gave ample reason for her to resemble the most perfect sculpture--the pinnacle of perfection--that any human could imagine. Bora held sway over Summer, Life, and Fertility. Avellar's Love and Beauty, Bora's Life and Fertility--the four dovetailed quite nicely together. Bora ruled over sex and passion, while Avellar governed the forces that drove lovers together. The two had become close friends over the centuries.

At last, Avellar spoke. "I made a judgement call. I may have erred--gravely."

Bora raised a shapely eyebrow. "And this involves me?"

Avellar hesitated again before giving a brief nod in response.

"My player?"

Avellar hesitated longer this time, as if she were afraid of saying what she wanted to. Bora chose to play along, for the time being.

Bora's voice grew firm. "My player's House?"

It was no real secret by now that three of the players were aligned in the very disruptive House Valor.

Another brief nod was the only response. Bora exhaled sharply, frustration mounting.

"I can't sit here and play twenty questions. This dimension costs both of us power, you know. What is going on?"

Avellar wavered, hesitation heavy in her eyes.

"Fuck!" Bora threw up her hands. "I mean--are we talking bigger than a fucking bread box?"

Avellar giggled, then froze at her own sound--like she was truly scared.

Bora's eyes narrowed. Her next question was a statement. "It's that utter cunt Magard, isn't it."

As if evoking the name removed some unseen barrier, Avellar began to speak... and didn't stop.

"She's up to something--evil even for her. You know what she's like when she feels she has the upper hand! Lashan came after me for something she did to him, and I have to admit, it scared me. I have never seen him rage the way he did."

Bora tried to ask a question, but Avellar failed to notice.

"Whatever it is, Lashan mobilized just about everything to go after

our

player, which your players are about to walk straight into. If what I fear is true, the resulting destruction might rival the Dragon Flight."

Bora raised an eyebrow. That was one episode nobody wanted to repeat.

Avellar gave a heavy sigh. "Magard's more unstable than usual--as if that was possible. She no longer consults with me for anything regarding our player--or plans. She began raiding wild elves to bring in more sacrifices for her altar--people nobody was likely to miss. Her minions overreached and attacked full settlements, so I

encouraged

those elves to reach out to your pet House for help."

Bora began putting the pieces together. "And now our players are charging straight into Magard's schemes--

and

Lashan is, well... being Lashan."

Bora did not try to hide that she was working with other Divine and their players. Avellar nodded gravely.

"But there is more. When last I came to you, something had changed within my spheres. Something fundamental.

During a game

."

This time Bora nodded in response. "I felt something as well, but know not what. Wait... you think it has to do with our players?"

Avellar sighed. "I know it now. It took me some time to track it down, but something changed within my marriage bonds. Specifically, the one binding your player's House."

Bora's eyes narrowed, her voice gaining a sharp edge. "Are you tracking players through their bonds?"

Avellar became defensive. "I can only sense the bonds--their strengths, their weaknesses. That is my domain."

Bora snorted. It wasn't exactly a denial. "So what about their bonds?"

Avellar shrugged. "I had hoped you would know. Perhaps... perhaps you could summon your player... to examine the bond directly."

Bora began to pace, thinking furiously. "If this is a trick--for you and Magard to gain knowledge of my player--I will never forgive you. You understand that? Hundreds of years, lost in an instant."

Avellar shook her head vigorously. "I swear. By the Power."

Bora sighed again. "We may require Comlain."

Avellar flinched.

"What were the two of you thinking?" Comlain's irritation tainted his words.

Avellar flinched again. "I have no idea what she is doing. You must realize how poorly she works with others."

Comlain paced before the two elves--an irritating habit he had developed since this current iteration of the game had begun. He abruptly stopped before Avellar, a decision evident on his face.

"You are certain that the bond was altered?"

Avellar nodded. He sighed in response. "Very well, Bora, summon your two. I will handle the rest."

Between the three Divine, five ethereal forms slowly coalesced. Jebidiah was in the center of the group with Crystal, Dana, Greta, and Mila arrayed in a pattern around him. All were sleeping. All were nude.

Avellar walked amidst their guests, admiring what she saw. "I can see how he would make a striking figure, even with the orc coursing through him."

She hesitated. "The orc... it is strong. Too strong."

She shot a glance at Comlain, eyes narrowed. "How did he not Change? Was this your doing?"

Comlain shrugged. "I have little understanding of how Axteus works or how it decides what it wants to do." He examined the sleeping forms before him more closely. "This is..." He hesitated, then knelt at Jebidiah's side, squinting at something. "Intriguing... Avellar, can you see his bond?"

Avellar moved to him and similarly knelt. Her eyebrows leapt in surprise. "What is this? It is not my bond, not wholly. Is this your doing? No... I think your intrigue was genuine. What does this mean?"

Rather than answer, he gestured toward the women around them. "What do you notice about their bond?"

Avellar looked around more closely, then her eyes widened. "There are two bonds--but only one is mine! This is... is...

blasphemy

!"

Bora stood with arms folded, impatience plain on her face as she addressed them. "I cannot see these bonds of yours, but can you at least share what is so wrong?"

Avellar looked to Comlain, crouched at her side, who shrugged in response. She turned her attention to Bora.

"There is a double bonding at work, but one of them is not mine. The bonds link to Jebidiah--both of them--but he has a single anchor, not two like the others."

"Most of the others."

Comlain's casual comment made Avellar whip her head back to him. "Explain."

He pointed to the goblin lying to his left. "She bears only a single bond, much like his. Looking at the threads, their single bond is a combination of the two the other's still bear."

He stood up and stretched, then caught himself, shrugged, and continued stretching. It wasn't like he had muscles to stretch out in this plane of existence. Old habits died hard.

"I think this may be my fault, in part."

Avellar moved over to Greta, pushing at the bonds with tentative fingers. "How so? You sound like this was unintentional."

Comlain sighed. "In for a penny I suppose."

He paused then, considering his options.

Bora snorted, unimpressed. "Pennies no longer exist, Wheldon. We're here together, like this. I think impropriety and secrecy left a while ago."

He chuckled at her use of his name, as much a piece of the past as pennies. His answer held a hard edge. "Yes, though, we really need to consider what we decide to share without consulting those it will impact. Isn't that right,

Bora

."

Bora waved dismissively.

"This may have implications beyond the game. Three of us are in collusion, why not a fourth? Are you going to share what you know or not?"

He spoke quickly, as if he expected someone to stop him--most likely himself. "I granted Jebidiah the ability to see and weave threads. Directly."

The others gasped, shocked. Bora's voice became unsteady.

"He can change the Weave? What are his limitations? How could you even do that? For fucks sake, Comalin!

Why would you do such a thing?

"

He shrugged and gave a small smile.

"Believe it or not, Axteus chose him. Axteus." He gave them a moment to let that sink in. "He was due to Change, and without Talent to boot. It seemed logical at the time, but he has done some unexpected things since. I don't know the specifics of what Darido and Aesis granted, but I think, in conjunction with my boon, new avenues were opened up for young Jebidiah. So he has tried some of them out."

He chuckled at a memory. "During his bonding ceremony he fucked with the magic--actually challenged me, in his own way. I think his singular bond was the result."

Avellar glanced up at him, a surprised look on her face. "Darido and Aesis blessed your player?"

Comlain contemplated her. "In for a pound..." He shrugged. "Yes, as I blessed his lizard."

Avellar shot upright. "The lizardfolk in his bond?" She looked to Bora for confirmation. Bora did not respond, which only confirmed Avellar's supposition.

"Then it's true--what the others whisper. You upset the balance of the game."

Comlain scoffed at her remarks. "We do no such thing. All we are doing is taking a different approach to the game--one not attempted before. And one, I might point out,

our hands were forced into taking

." He pointed to the man lying before him. "Forced by

him

. A mortal. And once again, he has done the unexpected."

Avellar knelt beside Greta once more, placing a hand on the center of her chest.

"This bond should not be."

Her hand violently spasmed, then withdrew involuntarily, her cry of pain shocking the others.

"Fuck!"

Comlain's voice was incredulous. "Are you in pain?"

Greta convulsed, body arching as her muscles locked. The cords in her neck looked ready to burst as her mouth was held open in a silent scream.

"Fuck!"

Bora's exclamation drew Comlain's attention as Mila now shot upright like a spring let loose. A silent snarl was on her lips as her spirit body flew to Greta's side, her foot lashing out at Avellar.

Comlain's incredulousness turned to anger. "What have you done?"

Avellar lashed out, her foot slamming into Mila's abdomen, sending her small body hurling into Jebidiah--who had just begun to rise. Jebidiah's body did not react to the impact and Mila slowly slid down to lay at his feet. He looked up from her crumpled form, taking in everything around him--stopping his gaze on Comlain. His single, accusatory word held more weight than it should have been able to.

"

You

."

Comlain lost his cool, raging at the absurdity of the situation he now found himself in.

"Fuck!"

The dimension collapsed.

-- Chapter 5: Mylar Road, North Outpost --

-- Fifth Tenday of Juntaen 813 AGR --

Don't be afraid to be the first to resort to violence.

- Taylor

Jebidiah woke in an instant, agitation flashing through the bonds. Several loud voices were engaged in an animated verbal disagreement. Disoriented by the absence of his wives, he quickly threw on a tunic. In his haste, he tripped over a bundle still cocooned in the blankets.

Mila.

He checked to see if she was okay--his half-remembered dream encounter with her had not been gentle. She did not wake at his prodding, no reaction at all. Panic gripped him irrationally, and he quickly checked if she was still breathing. She seemed fine. Just... comatose. He attempted again to rouse her, but the arguing outside escalated. Mila would have to wait until he figured out what was going on.

The morning sun strained against a pale blue sky, blocked by a host of pink-hued clouds that spoke of rain. He stretched as he exited the tent, his senses immediately assaulted by the smells of camp mixed with the sour odor of death and the unmistakable aroma of burnt meat. Looking to the west he easily spotted the bonfires raging, fueled by the unused remains of their horses. He scanned the outpost before him. The rooms had been turned into an infirmary to tend the injured, forcing everyone else to sleep in tents.

The source of the ruckus was easily discerned. Several figures were waving arms about as the angry shouting increased in volume. Jebidiah easily spotted Dana amid the group, her red hair tossing as she shook her head.

He hurried over, breaking through the noise with his own shout. The emotions in the bond were abnormal. Dana was angry, not unlike her, but Tenner exuded concern and Greta--her bond was a chaotic swirl.

His concern leaked out into his voice as he interrupted the argument. "What the everloving fuck is going on now?"

The shouting ceased as all eyes snapped to him. From their tense stances, it was clear--Dana and Captain Montague were on one side, while Greta, Tenner, and another armswoman faced off against them.

Jebidiah pointed past them to the outpost barracks. "We didn't sleep in there because it's now the infirmary."

He gestured toward the distant tent he had crawled out of. "I was still sleeping in there,

waaaay

over there, and your shouting woke me."

He nodded towards the barracks. "How much rest do you think our wounded are getting?"

Expressions of anger faltered into sheepish guilt.

"Now, calmly, what is going on?"

Dana's voice lashed out. "Little Miss Holy Crusader here has decided she's seen the Divine Light and is demanding we, and I quote,

destroy the Dark abominations

."

Jebidiah looked at the others, confusion on his face. He had never seen Dana this angry at someone in their family, except him

Greta answered, anger clouding her face. "They are Dark, Jeb. Beyond Dark. They are pure

evil

. They are our enemies--enemies of the Light." She motioned to the barracks. "The Pale wounded, maimed, and killed our people."

Her cheek twitched with an involuntary tic--something new. She stomped a foot. "Why can't anyone understand! They are an affront to the Divine!"

Jebidiah blinked, growing more concerned at the fervor in her voice. "Greta, love, this isn't like you."

Greta's eyes grew wide--the emotions in her bond a chaotic swirl he couldn't untangle.

"This is a load of minotaur shit." She pointed at Dana, her voice gaining an octave. "You sound just like

her

! What

happened

to everyone?"

"Greta, it's ok, really. Nobody is trying to be against you."

Tenner tried to touch her arm, but Greta immediately flinched away. Tenner looked at Jebidiah, a silent plea through the bond. Dana moved to step forward but Jebidiah motioned for her to stay with a silent command.

He slowly stepped in front of Greta, taking careful, small steps, emanating soothing calm through their connection.

"Greta, look at me."

Her eyes had grown wild, darting everywhere like a trapped animal searching for escape. Her gaze locked onto his as he spoke, but he could see the twitching--her eyes fought to continue seeking.

At last, he stood before her, staring into uncertain azure eyes, willing her to stay focused on him.

He wrapped her in a hug, and she immediately melted against him, her body shaking as sobs wracked her. Jebidiah bent slightly and lifted her up fully into his arms, cradling her. She clung to him tighter, gripping his arm and chest, burying her face into his shoulder, his tunic growing wet with her tears. Her hair smelled different, not her usual scent. It was a strange thing to notice, but it registered as another in the increasing list of changes with Greta.

"Shhhhh," he whispered softly, kissing her head. Wildflowers. The scent was unmistakable--her hair carried the fragrance of wildflowers in full bloom.

"It's okay, love. We're all here for you." Greta was mumbling something against his tunic but her words were too muffled to understand.

He looked up at the others. Dana's face was an uneasy mix of anger and concern, while the others hovered from worried to anxious.

He kept his voice low and soft as he spoke to the rest. "I'm going to take her over to the tent."

Once inside, Jebidiah laid Greta down on the sleeping blankets, but she still clung to him with a hand, desperate for contact.

"Please... don't leave me."

He sat next to her, leaving her hand in place, clutching his tunic. "I'm right here. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"

She shuddered. Her voice grew quiet.

"I don't know."

Then she surged up, gasping, bunching the front of his tunic with both hands, her eyes growing wild again. The emotional burst of chaos in her bond temporarily overwhelmed him.

"The Drow! The Pale! They will kill us all! We

have

to destroy them! She demands it!"

He soothed her hair trying to calm her, unsure what to do. "Shhhh. Who is

she

?"

She gasped, on the verge of tears again. Her grip slackened.

"I don't know?" Her voice wavered. "What has happened to me?"

Anger flared again, replacing everything else in the bond.

"It's the fucking Drow!"

"Focus, Greta, focus. Who is

she

?"

The anger left, replaced by fear. She stared off into the distance.

"I... I don't know Jeb. There's something clawing at the back of my mind--an itch I can't reach."

Her eyes snapped back on him, suddenly focused. Despite how close they sat to each other, she launched herself at Jebidiah, who barely managed to catch her weight as she crashed into him, knocking him backwards. He felt his shoulder connect with something.

Greta buried her face in his chest once again but her plea was clear, though muffled. "Please, Jeb... help me."

Greta pushed herself off his chest, straddling his hips. Her voice turned husky. The anger in her bond instantly switched to lust.

"Fuck me, Jeb. Use me!"

She frantically disrobed, tossing clothing aside as quickly as she could. He could smell her arousal then, but like her hair, it was slightly different, stronger, filling the tent. Jebidiah tried to sit up, to regain some control over the situation, but his hand rested on whatever his shoulder had hit.

Mila.

He glanced over to confirm her position before he moved, but Greta had followed his gaze.

"Mila!"

She cried out in joy--one tainted with the lust surging through her bond. Her shifts of focus and emotions were confusing Jebidiah into inaction. Greta lunged off of Jebidiah's lap, knocking him fully off balance again as she yanked the covers away, exposing Mila's sleeping form. She lovingly murmured Mila's name repeatedly as she attempted to wake her.

Nothing worked.

Jebidiah pulled himself upright, his mind racing for answers, and reached for Greta.

"I'm not sure what is going on with Mila yet, love, but we need to sort you out first."

Greta slapped away Jebidiah's hand with an angry retort. Anger surged through the bond again, sharp and overwhelming.